And now for my next Cliche...

I recently had 3 deals working that I felt challenged me in every way they could. In one deal there were unhappy tenants that felt I would lie, cheat and steal to make a sale and as such felt it their duty to make certain I would not succeed. Another deal hung in the balance waiting for a municipality to purchase a large parcel of land from a gentleman who needed those proceeds to purchase a listing I was trying to sell. The third was the owner of that listing, purchasing a new home, a deal contingent upon the close of the sale of his home .
I could have never anticipated the challenges that my clients and I faced in moving these deals to closing. Enter Cliché #1 Expect the unexpected. I did not expect the tenant making demands, believing incorrectly that the home they were renting was not up to code, threatening to call the building inspector in an attempt to foul the sale. I also did not expect that after a completed inspection and delivery of notice of the defects that a buyer would attempt, at the risk of being sued for breach of contract, to re-negotiate the sales price at closing as in his opinion the roof was going to be more costly repair than he anticipated. Cliché #2 Either you are with me or again me. This buyer was clearly again me and had disguised his intentions with what I call a "Stupid like a fox" demeanor, chummy, friendly, even simple minded until they want to put the screws to you or get their way. Cliché #3 Trust no one/Get it in writing. Verbal agreements or simple omissions of even the most minor change can give the conniver the perception that a window has been opened to them. All they need is the belief they can screw you to try to do it.
I would hate to think I could squeeze 4 cliche's into one entry so I will take my leave.